§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on the purchase of alcoholic drinks by the United Kingdom embassy in France in 1996–97. [61698]
§ Ms QuinThe Embassy itself does not purchase alcoholic drinks: they are bought by Embassy staff on an individual basis. Annual expenditure by individual members of staff on official entertainment does not distinguish between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and food. It is therefore not possible to say how much was spent on alcoholic drinks in any one year.